CSO leaders apprise Governor on ADC Bill
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 23 2021: Leaders of IPSA, ACOAM Lup, CLK, Kanglamei, KIL, IPAK, PANDAM and KSA met Governor La Genesan and discussed about ADC Bill-2021 and submitted a memorandum regarding the Bill on Thursday.

After meeting the Governor, PANDAM president Yumnamcha Dilipkumar told media persons that valley people are not against the ADC Bill and preparation for holding a public debate on the Bill has been made to discuss pros and cons of the Bill.

Dilipkumar said that leaders of civil society organisations were compelled to meet the Governor to place factual account of the Bill to the head of the state as hill people have launched a movement against non-introduction of the Bill in the state assembly.

Civil society organisations of the valley do not stand against the ADC Bill but the excessive contents of the Bill are unacceptable.

It is the desire of the eight CSOs to take opportunity to amend the Bill and make it acceptable to everyone in the state and subsequently approach the government collectively for safe passage of the Bill.

Nevertheless, the CSOs will never accept any attempt to break up Manipur due to the Bill, Dilipkumar added.

According to Dilipkumar, the Bill seeks to appoint a person at the level of chief secretary as hill secretariat secretary but this will bring two different administrations.

The Bill also says that no programme could be taken up in hills without the approval of Hill Areas Committee (HAC) and it is akin to bypassing the present government and having a state within the state when everything in the hills is to be done after the approval of HAC.

On securing financial power, the Bill seeks HAC to procure budget sanction directly from the President through the Governor, Dilipkumar said and stressed the need for having a public discussion before introducing the Bill in the assembly and collectively pressurise the government when the contents of the Bill are acceptable to all.

Valley CSOs never want return of the bitter experience of 2015 when ILP Bill was introduced in the state assembly and the same Bill was later passed after thorough discussion and deliberation, he said and strongly called for having a public debate on the new ADC Bill.

He also said that the Governor gave a patient hearing of the points raised by CSO leaders and assured of taking up necessary step based on truth.

Replying to a query raised by media persons, Dilipkumar said that it was a great loss for the nation when Zeliangrong Baudi former president and advisor Athuan Abonmai was abducted and killed.

It was unfortunate that a person who stood for truth was given capital punishment, he said while strongly condemning the murder of Athuan.

It was unfortunate that the chief minister is yet to utter a word regarding the killing of Athuan Abonmai, Dilipkumar added.

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